New Archives - August 2000

8.27.00
(S:)NGP in The News
Issue 4 of Ziff Davis' Pocket Games recently hit newsstands across America, featuring a 2-page news article on Aruze's blunt withdrawal from English Neo Geo Pocket markets. It can't help but rub a bit of salt into the wounds of Neo Geo Pocket fans that were just starting to forget about the fateful day, though the new bits of insight are worthy of note. Some of the more interesting factoids include production counts of UK Faselei! and Evolution carts (10,000 and "less than" 2,000 respectively. Most titles received runs of 10,000 copies on average), the number of NGPC's sold in America (175,000 units) and the best selling American title, Sonic Adventure (110,000 copies sold). While SNK Entertainment's VP of Sales and Marketing, Ben Herman, offers insightful comments about the sales climate at the time of the withdrawal, we know the real reason you'll want to dash right out and grab this issue is because of the super special cameo appearance of "the NGPC's premier unofficial internet fan site", Sector: NGP. We offer our comments on the situation, sneak in a website plug, and get to see our names in print...always a good thing. Overall, an interesting read that offers some previously unpublished information about Aruze's exit. Also suitable for framing.

Software Sections Revamped
The neglected Coming Soon section, and specifically the Software Data section (located in the Games section. Confusing, we know..) have been brought up to date. No earth-shattering new information, but each list is 100% complete and accurate as of today. If you're interested in things like language support, accessory support, etc, take a look. If not, well...there's a nice pic of Mai in there somewhere.

8.23.00
FAQ Update
substance J's Ganbare Neo Poke Kun FAQ has been updated with sadistic new information passed on by Chewurface and Sweaterfish. Been wanting to trigger a catastrophic bathroom flood in Poke Kun's house? Now you can stop just thinking about it, and live your dream...

8.17.00
Ganbare FAQ
Over the past few weeks a continual stream of e-mail regarding Ganbare Neo Poke Kun has prompted substance J to write up an FAQ. v1.0 covers half of the minigames available, and provides some basic tips to help ensure Poke Kun's wellbeing. Future updates will complete the minigame list, along with any other bits that come about. If you have any imput or corrections, send 'em in.

8.8.00
Neo Freak Report
Last week, substance J picked up the August issue of Neo Geo Freak magazine at the beloved Books Kinokuniya. This latest edition offers a good selection of NGP coverage and advertising. Some notable bits include the new, physical version of SNK vs. Capcom; info, screens and character art from Cool Cool Jam (as well as DC Cool Cool Toon); King of Fighters Battle de Paradise stage maps and tactics; Metal Slug 3 production sketches (not NGP related, but hey); in-depth Ogre Battle Gaiden walkthroughs and charts; ads for Battle de Paradise and Rockman Battle & Fighters (nice art). A pretty choice issue, worth picking up.

8.6.00
Just Give us Ikari!
While pouring through Japanese search engines last night, substance J stumbled upon COJICOJI's Information Room, a Japanese gaming site. Their coming soon section offers a bit of new insight, so it's presented below in translated form.

Date	Title	Developer	Price
8.10.00	Cool Cool Jam	SNK	Ľ3,800
8.10.00	Delta Warp	Iosys	Ľ3,800
9.14.00	Big Bang Pro Wrestling	SNK	Ľ3,800
10.26.00	Nigeronpa	Denno Eizo Seisakujo	Ľ3,800
Fall '00	Infinity ~cure~	Kid	TBA
TBA '00	Ikari Warriors the Returns	SNK	TBA
TBA	Popeye & Betty	Japan Vistech	TBA
TBA	Digital Primate	SNK	TBA
TBA	KOF R-3	SNK	TBA
TBA	Magician Lord	ADK	TBA
TBA	Pachinko Sim Vol.2	Japan Vistech	TBA
TBA	SNK Chara Race Game	ITL	TBA

There is a note on the page warning against the reprinting of this information, but we figure they'll never know the difference. *Ahem* While all of these titles except Kid's new dating sim have been known for quite a while, their future been looked uncertain (Ikari Warriors and Magician Lord were removed from SNK's online release list about 2 months ago). The list translated from COJICOJI has a considerable amount of significance, though - the info is current as of 8.4.00, and the source is credited as an SNK fax (!). This new list still doesn't provide any solid facts about the future of some titles, but it's a huge relief to see that there are still plans on the board.

Also, for those curious about Denno Eizo Seisakujo/Atlus' (?) Nigeronpa, there is now an official website - Geronpa.com (thanks Kazuki!). You won't find much more than some character art and an animated head, but it's a start.

8.4.00
Poke Poke!
substance J's review of Ganbare Neo Poke Kun is now online and available in the Games section.

Euro Games Hit US
If you're still looking for the European versions of Faselei!, the Last Blade, or even Evolution, there are a few more options available now. Yesterday The Rage stocked a small supply of Faselei!, while today NCS received a small shipment of Last Blade and Evolution (which sold out to pre-orders, but is open for future reservations). Each of the games goes for under $50, so it's certainly a better deal than you'll find elsewhere in the States.

8.2.00
FAQ Update
L.S.D's Last Blade ~Beyond the Destiny~ FAQ has just received a new rev. You can check out the updated version by clicking Here, or visiting the Last Blade area of the Games Section

8.1.00
Updates 'n' Stuff
As usual, the news of last month has been packed in formaldehyde and carefully placed in the News Archives, where it will remain for the betterment of future generations. Oh, the Links section has been cleaned up too. Some dead links were tossed, Wolf Games has been added (finally).

New Screens!
SNK has made a scant update to their website with some new images of their own music sim entry, Cool Cool Jam, and Iosys' "action puzzle" title, Data Warp (gotta love the name). Both games are set for release on 8.10.00. Other than that, the software outlook is pretty bleak at the moment...err, on that bright note, enjoy the screens!